Lake Superior College

Policy: Chapter 1 - 1B.4 Access for Individuals with Disabilities

Part 1. General Information
The reasonable accommodation policy implemented by Lake Superior College is based on the policies, definitions, and guidelines established by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.

Access for Students with Disabilities
Contact: Disability Services
Room E2114
(218) 733-7650 voice
(218) 722-6893 TTY

Part 2. Definitions
Subpart A.   An individual with a disability:

1. Any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person's major life activities, or
2. Any person who has a record of such impairment which means that a person has a history of or has been classified as having a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or
3. Any person who is regarded as having such an impairment, which means:

a. Has a physical or mental impairment that may not substantially limit major life activities but that is treated by others as constituting such a limitation,
b. Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward such impairment, or
c. Has no impairment but is treated by others as having such an impairment.

Subpart B.  Personal devices and services:
The Disability Services does not provide personal devices or services that may pose undue financial or administrative burdens. Disability Services does not provide assessment services that attempt to diagnose various disabilities or provide funding for individuals to receive off-site testing. Diagnostic assessment referrals and information are available in Disability Services.

Examples of personal devices and services include wheelchairs; individually prescribed devices, such as prescription eyeglasses or hearing aids; readers for personal use or study; personal computers; or services of a personal nature, including assistance in eating, toileting, or dressing.

Subpart C.  Qualified individual:
Individual’s who, with or without reasonable modifications to rules, policies, or practices, the removal of architectural, communication or transportation barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for receipt of services or participation in a college, program, or activity. Essential eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to, academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in an educational program or activity.
 

Part 3.  General Access Policy

The Lake Superior College will provide access to programs, services and activities to qualified individuals with known disabilities as required by law.

Individual’s who qualifies for services through the Disability Services must have supporting documentation from a qualified professional reviewed and on file that supports the nature of the disability that substantially limits his/her ability to function in the academic setting. Documentation of a disability must provide the following:

1. Identification of the nature and severity of the individual’s disability.
2. Specific information regarding the manner in which the disability affects the individual’s.
3. Description of the current course of treatment, if any, including medications and side effects, and the prognosis of the disability.
4. Suggestions and recommendations regarding possible accommodations.
5. The documentation needs to be dated, signed and current within the last three years.

Part 4.  Availability and Notice
Lake Superior College shall post notices in an accessible format to the public describing:
a. The prohibition against discrimination, and
b. The contact for requesting reasonable accommodation or information.

Part 5.  Reasonable Accommodations to Ensure Access to Programs, Services, and Activities
Lake Superior College shall make reasonable accommodations to ensure access to programs, services and activities as required by law.  Access means that a qualified individual with a disability will not be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, technological access, or activities, nor will the individual be subjected to discrimination.  Reasonable accommodations may include modifications to rules, policies, or practices; the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers; provision of auxiliary aids; or the provision of equally-effective programs, services, or activities.  In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, accommodations will not be provided 1) for personal devices or services even though the individual may be a qualified individual with a disability, or 2) that result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity or in undue financial or administrative burdens.

Part 6.  Offered and/or Sponsored Services or Activities for Qualified Students with Disabilities
Lake Superior College has a responsibility to provide access to services and/or activities that are operated or sponsored by the college.  Such access shall be provided in a reasonable manner as required by law.  The following accommodations and services are available to students with documented disabilities:

1. Support and counseling services that may include support groups, individual counseling, career counseling, and referral services,
2. Academic accommodations may include assistive devices, adaptive software, early registration course selection and program advising, alternative testing tutor referral, and a variety of classroom accommodations based on individual needs; and
3. Coordination services that may include advocating on the student's behalf and serving as the primary contact and coordinator for students needing services, assistance in working individually with faculty and administrators, intervention procedures, and grievance procedures.

Part 7.  Procedure
Students who qualify for disability-related services at Lake Superior College must meet with the Disability Services Coordinator to request services.  It is suggested that students meet with the Coordinator at least two weeks prior to the beginning of each term.  The development of academic accommodations often requires ample preparation time, and late requests may not be honored in a timely manner.

Students who request disability services must:

1. Complete a Disability Services request form.
2. Provide the Coordinator with current documentation (no more than 3 years old) of the disability and/or a signed “Release of Information” form whereby the Coordinator can obtain the documentation materials.
3. Allow the documentation of a disability to be reviewed and maintained in a confidential file or be willing to undergo diagnostic testing to determine the eligibility of services.
4. Schedule an appointment with the Coordinator to review the information and develop an accommodation plan.
5. Meet with the Coordinator each term to update the accommodation plan, and notify the Coordinator if the nature of the disability changes that may require revisions to the accommodation plan.

For information regarding reasonable access and accommodations, contact:

Georgia Robillard
Disability Services Coordinator
Lake Superior College
2101 Trinity Road
Duluth,  MN 55811
(218) 733-7650 or TTY/(218) 722-6893

Students who are denied a request for program access may appeal by filing a written statement to the Vice President of Student Services.

The information contained in this notice can be made available in alternative formats, by contacting Disability Services.

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